Lady Raiders win twice at Birdville

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS – The Rider girls soccer team is one victory away from advancing to the championship game of the Birdville Tournament after a pair of Friday wins.

The Lady Raiders took down Midlothian Heritage 4-0 before squeezing by Irving Nimitz 2-1. With a win Saturday morning against Mansfield Timberview, Rider (9-2-1) will play in the title match.

Maddi Kyle opened the scoring against Heritage with 11:15 before the half. The Lady Raiders added three goals in the final 15 minutes of the match – two from Khalia Jackson and one from Baley, who had two assists. Kyle and Carly Kowalick also set up goals.

“We got off to a slow start against Heritage and this tournament goes off points, so we needed to get goals and made some changes,” Rider coach Carl Wiersema said. “We got those goals right at the end and it was fun to see the girls take care of business.”

Jackson scored her third goal of the day in the first half against Nimitz. It was Kyle scoring her area-best 11th goal with about seven minutes left off a Mindy Shoffit rebound to decide the match.

Lady Coyotes fall at Ice Bowl

RICHARDSON – The Wichita Falls High School girls dropped a 2-1 decision to Cleburne Friday at the Ice Bowl after surrendering two first-half goals.

Alyssa Hollis cut the deficit in half early in the second half when the Lady Coyotes had the wind, but it wasn’t enough. Alyssa Salinas had the assist.

“It’s hard to come back when you give up two goals with shortened halves,” WFHS coach Rob Woodard said. “We got one back, just couldn’t find the other one. Goals will come for the girls. We just need to keep playing.”

The Lady Coyotes, who tied W.T. White 0-0 in Thursday action, play again at 11:15 a.m. Saturday against Woodrow Wilson.

Burkburnett rebounds at Kennedale

KENNEDALE – After dropping its first two games Thursday at the Kennedale Wildcat Classic, the Burkburnett boys soccer team notched a win and a tie in Friday’s action

Anthony Gauthier and Jayden Bale scored in a 2-1 victory over Graham. Gauthier’s first-half goal came on a free kick and Bale’s tally in the 69th minute – his second goal in two days – came off a punt by Kevin Gamez.

The Bulldogs (3-4-1) then tied Waxahachie Life 1-1 on Gauthier’s goal off a Bailey Jones assist in the 65th minute. Coach Robert Daiker was glad his team rebounded after suffering a 5-1 loss to Ferris and a 6-0 setback against Kennedale the day before.

“The boys had two tough losses yesterday and were able to bounce back and beat Graham this morning,” Daiker said. “(Waxahachie Life) was the fourth match in two days for the Bulldogs and it was a test for their energy reserves. We moved some boys around to change up our look and it seemed to work well.”

In other Wildcat Classic action, Hirschi lost 4-0 to Diamond Hill-Jarvis Friday morning and then fell 4-2 to Mineral Wells that night.

Rider finds net 11 times

The Raiders led 3-1 at the half on goals by Hagan Sanchez (Blake Beasley assist), Beasley (penalty kick) and Santana Castro.

They scored six goals in the first 20 minutes of the second half.

Rylan Havins scored on a free kick three minutes into the half and Colsen Welch tapped in a rebound off a missed PK. Jackson Redding found the net next on an assist from Castro then Welch found Havins on a cross for a 7-1 lead.

Castro scored his second goal on a through ball by Tony Montana and Welch got his second off an assist from Montes Martinez for a 9-1 advantage. Hayden Sandusky rounded out the scoring with a pair goals in the final 10 minutes, assisted by Gavin King and Montana, respectively.

Rider (4-3-1) opens District 5-5A play Tuesday at home against Sherman.

Old High falls to Pearce

RICHARDSON - Wichita Falls High School took a 3-1 loss to Richardson Pearce in non-district action Friday.

Pearce scored 30 seconds into the match, but Old High got the equalizer from Johan Hernandez off an assists from Adrian Botello just before halftime.

"The guys fought through a lot of adversity tonight and I'm so proud of their resilience," WFHS coach Patrick McCauley said. "Pearce is a solid 6A team. It's obvious why they haven't lost a game this season."

Old High (1-6-2) opens District 5-5A play against Denison at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday at Memorial Stadium.